The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-26
rREsnrrERIAN uNIos.

The ST. Louis Globe. Democrat Of
Tuesday contains AN editorial review
of the autsgonistic positions Of the
Northern and Southern Presbyterian
churches, in which 1t takes the latter
seriously to task for not accepting the
recent overtures for union with the
former. In the spirit Of injustice, un-
fairness aud bitterness that has always
characterized that journal whtrevtr
the South and the Southern people
are concerned, it puts the onus and
burden OF reiussl to unite upon the
Southern branch OF the church, with
out sdeq or fair explanation. Bot
admitting the fact, as badly as the
Cob, Democrat states 1t, the question
OF union Is one that con-
Germs the members Of that Or
nanis .tIon and no others. They
are q law unto themselves, and If
they choose TO remain 80 that is their
concern. To the last overture Of their
Northern brethren the Southern Pres
byterians responded that they de-
clined for reasons satisfactory to them
selves. Had they waited day or two
they might have given the "Repors OF
the Missions for Southern Freedmen"
as a gold and sufficient reason. 1t 10
q libel upon and an insult to every
Christian MN and woman in the
South. That report says:
The history and condition this Of long OPP
pressed race, what they uttered before they
obtained the priceless boon Of liberty, and
tho present poverty and illiteracy Of these
millions who arc peril hing for lack OF knoWl;
edge Of divine ihinss, are we'll known and
ergetic efforts In their behalf. The call is
the call Of God, and the hour has cone for
the whole church to awake and give itself to
meet these prodigious responsibilities. These
people, be II remembered, are poor, and can
not, IL they would, do this work themselves,
and to withhold aid Is TO hold back from them
the bread and water Of life. Surely the heart
Of an enlightened church cannot and will not
fail 90 ref pond n the most liberal manner to
appeals In behalf Of a work so imperative, of
such vast proportions, and ahording the
sure promise Of tho most enduring and
blessed results.
How utterly aud shamelessly ex-
aggerated this is may be gathered
from the reports of the church
organizations supported by the ne
groes themselves. Their statistics show
a neutrality-suspicious. particularly Of
the African Methodist Church and
the Oolored Baptist Church-that
wholly aud entirely refutes the sweep
ing assertion that the negroes OF the
South "ars periihing for lack Of knowi-
edge Of divins hin9'." Long before the
Northerni Presbyterlsns and Northern
Methodists invaded a fsld tina. was
fully covered by the zeal Of their
Southern brethren, there were
churches for the negroes, and
thousands OF anxious Chris
tians who lsbored for their
enlightenment II Is the invasion OF
this field and the continued cant and
hypocrisy as to the negro that dis
gusts people who have to do with that
race from q common sense basis
through all the ordinary affairs Of life.
II is this evaporation Of the condi-
tions and religious needs Of the negro
by Northern propsgandists that, dis.
gushing thinking men, serves to widen
rather than narrow the breach be-
tween the Northern and the
Southern Presbyterlans and Metho-
dists. Had any Southern Pres.
byterian been present at the
meeting CT the General Assem-
bly, OF the Northern Presbyterian
Church on Monday, when that report
was read, they would have been justi-
fed in the instant and severest repro
baton Of its tone and temper
and many Of iIs alleged
facts. 1t is law as old, amost, as the
foundations Of Christianity that one
church should not invade the domain
of another. The English people have
never been reconciled to the invasion
Of their country by st. Augustine, a
Roman missionary, VIII was met as he
landed on the shores Of England by the
Bishop OF St. Davids. The Southern
Presbyterisns are equal to the dis
charge Of every duty devolving upon
them within the limits OF their terri
tory. They have never been lacking
or wanting where duty called. They
have as keen sen,e OF their situation
and responsibilities as their Northern
brethren have Of theirs, and self respect
md peace dictate continued sep.
aration from 90 self.assertive and
aggressive q body. 1t would be de.
grading In them 10 submit to be hec
tored and lectured upon slavery anC
the negro every year, and to listen Il
reports like that quoted from which
libel their Christian zeal and earnest
ness and hold them up by contrast al
failing to do for the African here wha
they pay large sums to have done To-
the African in his native county by
missionaries whose fidelity has never
yet been questioned. The Southern
Presbytsrians are wise yet awhile t.
decline union that would involv,
their peace and, perhaps, ultimatel!
lead to separations and divisions tina
could never be reconcied even within
the present degree of Christian ,ecog
milton and reciprocity.
-
The VACANT JUDGEsHIP.
The refusal OF Attorney General Gar
land to be considered a candidate TO